2023-09-20 19:09:19
West Nile Virus Cases Reported in Italy
By: Patrick Mayer
September 20, 2023, 7:09 p.m
Cases of West Nile virus are being reported in various places in Italy. It is not the first tropical disease to recently hit the country.
The main holiday season may be over, but Italy continues to make headlines. On Monday, an earthquake struck the Tuscany region, causing widespread damage. Additionally, a brutal act of violence in Sirmione on Lake Garda shocked the nation.
And now, Italy is grappling with cases of the insidious West Nile fever. The virus has been detected in Sardinia and the northern Adriatic around Venice, according to news portals Südtirol News and heute.at.
A 51-year-old man in Sardinia was hospitalized with severe symptoms similar to meningitis after being infected with the West Nile virus. He is currently being treated at the San Martino Hospital in Oristano, and his condition is stable.
It is not the first time West Nile virus has made an appearance in Sardinia. Another case was discovered in August, and there were infections reported on the island last year as well. The virus is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites after they have fed on infected birds.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), most infections are “mostly clinically inconspicuous,” with only 20 percent of those affected experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and vomiting. Serious cases, such as meningitis, occur in only about one percent of those infected.
Alarmingly, there is currently no vaccine available for West Nile virus. Climate change has led to an increase in native tropical diseases in southern and central Europe. In September 2020, the RKI confirmed that at least twelve people in Germany were infected with the virus within a short period of time. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported one death this year in the Mediterranean region due to West Nile virus, with several other infections in Greece, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Cyprus.
The ECDC has also recently documented cases of West Nile fever in the northern Adriatic, particularly in the popular beach destinations of Santa Margherita, Bibione, and Lignano Sabbiadoro, which attract many holidaymakers from Austria and Germany. This outbreak of a tropical disease comes as the German Foreign Office updates its travel advice for Italy following an outbreak of dengue fever on Lake Garda.
Italy is now facing the challenge of containing the spread of West Nile virus and protecting its citizens and tourists from further infections. The health authorities and local governments are working together to implement measures to control mosquito populations and raise awareness about the risks and preventive measures. It is crucial for individuals to take precautions, such as using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing, to minimize the risk of contracting the virus.
As the situation unfolds, health officials and researchers will continue to monitor the spread of West Nile virus in Italy and assess the effectiveness of the implemented measures.]
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